Raines Music

…considerable talent and imagination…the orchestration is rich and imaginative…there is a life-force behind his music which involves the listener and keeps the material fresh…
– Flute World / Music Web

…the music is never monotonous or wearying; the varying moods are sweetly poetical…[he gives] this ensemble of equal instruments [flutes] a veritable orchestral or even choral heft…– classiqueinfo-disque.com

…spinning polyphonic lines...lift the music off into the air…tart and jazzy... expertly scored…[his music] really grows on you...– Allmusic.com

The Return of Odysseus: “The balletic nature of the music is everywhere apparent, sometimes intriguingly so (the shady nature of the “Dance of the suitors,” for example). The music for “The Cyclops” is graphically ominous in its snaking melodic contours and generally low pitch, while the ethereal “Song of the Sirens,” generally high and seductive, acts as good contrast”… Echoes of Sarah: “It is touching in its evident sense of yearning. Solo lines evoke the loneliness of the shakuhachi. The performance is disciplined and strong… – Fanfare Magazine

…[his music has] the power to move the listener emotionally…dramatic and evocative…we will be hearing much from Robert Raines in the future.
– Atlanta Audio Society

» Read complete reviews

An evening of Robert Raines' music for Dance, presented in Prague:

May, 2010: Organized and presented by the Prague Conservatory at the renowned Multi-Media Arts Center, Divadlo Ponec, an entire evening of Robert Raines' music was set to dance by two separate choreographers and dance companies. The house was standing room only, and the music and dance received rave reviews. The evening included the complete ballet "The Return of Odysseus" and the trio "Ménage." The first half of the evening was devoted to the ballet, and the second half featured a mixture of selected pieces including the trio "Ménage."

Premiere performance of "A Quickening" scheduled at the Florida State University:

"A Quickening," commissioned by the Brannen-Cooper Fund for New Music, is a concerto for 12 flutes and percussion. The piece will be performed and recorded by the Florida State University Graduate Flute Ensemble, and the Graduate Percussion Ensemble. The piece was inspired by Martha Graham and is dedicated to Eva Amsler.

Robert is a featured composer on the web podcast "No Extra Notes":

No Extra Notes is a new podcast featuring interviews and music from up-and-coming composers.

» Robert's interview/podcast:
The link for the audio file: http://noextranotes.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/robertraines.mp3
The link for Robert's post: http://noextranotes.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/robert-raines/
The link for the overall "No Extra Notes" website: http://noextranotes.wordpress.com/

Robert is currently working on several commissions:

» Two new works commissioned by the English ensemble Rarescale. One piece is for electronics and quarter-tone alto flute, and the second is for guitar and alto/bass flute. It is scheduled for fall 2011 performance and recording.

» A new piece for orchestra tentatively entitled “Music from Black Castle Mountain” is also underway. This is a large-scale work for full orchestra and is planned for a premiere performance and recording in the spring of 2012. This piece was made possible by the generosity of benefactor Roger Black.

» A wind quintet for the theater piece "Queen Lear" is underway. The theater performance is scheduled to premiere in 2012.

» Listen to Robert’s Music

Robert Raines’ new, critically acclaimed CD, “The Return of Odysseus,” which includes “Echoes of Sarah” for nine flutes; “Menage” for flute, bass clarinet, and piano; and the complete ballet “The Return of Odysseus,” performed by the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, is available online at:
www.Amazon.com
www.Cdbaby.com
www.MSRCD.com
www.fallshousepress.com
www.CDUniverse.com
www.arkivmusic.com
www.musicweb-international.com
http://payplay.fm/robertraines
http://new.us.music.yahoo.com/robert-raines